The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday hit a historic landmark as the benchmark KSE-100 index crossed the 149,000 barrier for the first time, buoyed by Fitch Ratings’ projection that Pakistan’s GDP growth could reach 3.5 percent by 2027 amid easing inflation.

In early trading, the index surged by 1,060.22 points, settling at a record high of 149,256.64 — a 0.71 percent rise.

Out of 443 companies traded so far, 293 saw their share prices increase, 136 declined, while 14 remained unchanged.

Adding to investor optimism, Moody’s Ratings recently upgraded Pakistan’s local and foreign currency issuer ratings, as well as senior unsecured debt ratings, from Caa2 to Caa1.

The agency also raised the rating of the senior unsecured Medium-Term Note (MTN) programme from (P)Caa2 to (P)Caa1.

Analysts link the bullish trend to stronger investor confidence, improved economic indicators, and expectations of enhanced credit conditions.

Just a day earlier, on Monday, the index had already shown bullish momentum, climbing 1,704.79 points (1.16 percent) to close at 148,196.42 points.

A total of 610,314,508 shares were traded during the day as compared to 473,601,407 shares on the previous trading day, whereas the price of shares stood at Rs39.173 billion against Rs 32.882 billion on the last trading day.

As many as 487 companies transacted their shares in the stock market, 283 of them recorded gains and 175 sustained losses, whereas the share price of 29 companies remained unchanged.

The three top trading companies were WorldCall Telecom with 40,719,854 shares at Rs1.40 per share, Pervez Ahmed Company with 29,750,970 shares at Rs2.82 per share and Al-Shaheer Corporation with 26,351,931 shares at Rs12.24 per share.

Hoechst Pakistan Limited witnessed a maximum increase of Rs323.88 per share price, closing at Rs3,830.59, whereas the runner-up was PIA Holding Company LimitedB with Rs186.13 rise in its per share price to Rs28,001.10.

Nestle Pakistan Limited witnessed a maximum decrease of Rs259.15 per share closing at Rs8,394.94 followed by Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited with Rs100.00 decline in its share price to close at Rs31,900.00.

Meanwhile, in the future market, as many as 323 companies traded shares in the market, out of which 213 witnessed gains, 102 loss where the prices of 8 companies remained unchanged.